In a world with scores of brands offering trail shoes, there is a new voice. Welcome Notace to the scene, who invites users to Escape the Noise. And what does that mean exactly? Owner Cedric Scotto believes there is a gap in the natural footwear market, where barefoot running options have thinned (pardon the pun) in recent years.
As a runner who has worn nearly every minimalist trail shoe option ever made, the opportunity to test and review the Yama T1 was a very exciting prospect. Minimalist/barefoot style shoes are not for everyone (sorry Ted), but for some of us they are everything when it comes to our feet. The feel of the ground at each strike is critical to control and the natural feel of running barefoot. Therefore the shoe has to be good.
Enter the Yama T1, the first shoe offering from Notace. As one might expect from a minimalist shoe, the T1 is zero drop, with a 15mm stack height and a jaw dropping weight of only 7.5 ounces (size 9 mens). 3mm lugs are the feature of the outsole, which is a proprietary blend for Notace. Grooves and open spacing of the lugs allow for both traction and drainage.
The foot shaped toe-box is reminiscent of other barefoot style options and is a welcome sight for this runner. There are 3 color ways to choose from on the T1 (same options for men or women), with Ivory being the test subject here. Once on your feet (these fit true to size), the T1 is much like a slipper. Form fitting in all the right ways, super light, and extremely comfortable.
Like any trail shoe review, it’s best to get the test model as dirty as possible. I recommend at least 3 runs with a good amount of climbing. Personally, I won’t write a review for trail shoes until I’ve run at least 40 miles (total) with about 5K of vert (total). In addition, it’s helpful to run on different surfaces, like rocks, roots, buttery trails, steep ups and downs, a little pavement, and maybe some gravel. With all that said, this pair of Yama T1s have so far seen 47 miles, over 7K of vert, and every surface mentioned above. Here are some thoughts:
First, it’s been a hot minute since I wore truly barefoot style shoes. The first run was a reminder of how much you feel the rocks, especially on the descents. Once acclimated, there is something truly unique about minimal shoes, where your foot (and your toes) are actively part of doing the gripping on the trail. The T1 lets you experience that feeling in a good way.
As I ripped through these runs, I focused on something different each time. There was the handling in the corners, which was mostly solid. The T1 heel is a little sloppy, but not bad. There was the ability to handle loose sandy trail. The T1 ate it up.
I was skeptical of the downhills, but on my last run I hammered a 3/4 mile descent, full of both loose and large set rocks, expecting the ankles or feet to scream. Neither happened as the Yamas held their ground quite well. On my 3rd run I managed to get out just after a fresh rain. There was little mud but it was enough to get a feel for wet trail, along with wet concrete. Neither were an issue.
The T1 was ready to go, out of the box, with little to no break-in period. However, now that I’m nearly 50 miles in, the insole has formed to my foot, making them even more comfortable. I’m definitely looking forward to many more runs in the Yama T1 shoe.
Overall, the T1 is a solid shoe, especially for the first offering from a brand-new company (they are working on a road and a court shoe). If you are used to a more cushioned shoe, with a greater stack height and greater drop, the Yama T1 might not be for you (although I think everyone should try them).
However, if you love that ground feel with maximum foot control on the trails, with a shoe that snugs your foot like a professional driving glove, this is it. Notace has created a really good shoe, and I’m excited to see what they do next.
